Padres close to long-term extension with Wil Myers

The Padres are nearing a long-term extension with Wil Myers, sources said Friday, and could wind up awarding the first baseman the largest contract in franchise history.

FoxSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal, who first reported a deal was imminent, said the two sides are close to a six-year agreement worth more than $80 million. Multiple officials with knowledge of the discussions said negotiations are ongoing.

“Still nothing finalized,” Padres General Manager A.J. Preller said Friday night. “We’re trying to work to something here over the next week.”

Myers, who turned 26 last month, is eligible for salary arbitration for the first time. A six-year deal would cover all three years of his eligibility, plus three years of free agency.

MLBTradeRumors.com’s predictive model projected that Myers would earn $4.7 million this year following his breakout 2016.

Denis Poroy/Getty Images

Wil Myers of the San Diego Padres hits a solo home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at PETCO Park on September 19, 2016 in San Diego, California.

Wil Myers of the San Diego Padres hits a solo home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at PETCO Park on September 19, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Denis Poroy/Getty Images)

Myers, who previously had not played a full major league season due to wrist injuries, appeared in 157 games, hitting .259 with a .336 on-base percentage, 28 home runs and 28 steals. In July, he represented San Diego at Petco Park as a first-time All-Star. In October, he was announced as a Gold Glove award finalist.

Shortly after the Midsummer Classic, Padres officials and Myers acknowledged mutual interest in discussing an extension. Formal talks began in November.

“The biggest thing from both ends is there’s openness,” Preller said. “There’s a want for him to be here. In our organization, from ownership on down, we share the same feeling. He was an All-Star for us last year, obviously showed the ability he has.

“I think it’s been a really good process. I think both sides have been really straightforward in terms of what’s important to both parties, and that’s the way to make a long-term relationship work.”

Myers was acquired from Tampa Bay as part of a three-team trade during the Padres’ splashy 2014-15 offseason. San Diego paid a steep price for the 2013 American League Rookie of the Year; as part of the deal, top prospects Joe Ross and Trea Turner were sent to Washington.

Myers suffered injuries to both wrists in his first season with the Padres. He was limited to 60 games, batting .253 with eight home runs. Healthy last season, he hit .286 with 19 home runs in the first half. His production fell off after the All-Star break, though he suspected that had something to do with it being his first full season in the majors.

In 1,663 career plate appearances, Myers is hitting .257 with a .331 OBP, 55 home runs and 44 steals.

As he’s begun to deliver on some of his potential, the Padres have turned their attention to making him a franchise cornerstone. While San Diego is deep into a rebuilding process and not expected to contend for at least two more seasons, Myers is viewed as a player who could lead the organization into brighter days.

The largest contract in franchise history is the four-year, $75 million deal signed by James Shields before the 2015 season. The Padres, who traded Shields to the White Sox in June, still owe the right-hander $11 million in each of the next two seasons.

If Myers does sign for six years and upward of $80 million, that contract would be similar to the one San Francisco’s Brandon Belt landed in April. Including his 2016 salary, the Giants first baseman will earn $79 million over six years.

Though nearly 28 when he signed his extension, Belt was more proven at the major league level. Through 2,061 career plate appearances, he had hit .272 with a .349 OBP and 63 home runs. Like Myers, he made his first All-Star appearance in July.